SB Nation / 2010 NHL Mock Draft - Florida Panthers select Cam Fowler at #3

by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2010 8:16 PM EDT Comment 19 comments

BRANDON, CANADA - MAY 23: Cam Fowler #24 of the Windsor Spitfires skates with the Memorial Cup after defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Final of the 2010 Mastercard Memorial Cup Tournament at the Keystone Centre on May 23, 2010 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Richard Wolowicz - Getty Images

3 months ago: BRANDON, CANADA - MAY 23: Cam Fowler #24 of the Windsor Spitfires skates with the Memorial Cup after defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Final of the 2010 Mastercard Memorial Cup Tournament at the Keystone Centre on May 23, 2010 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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With the third overall pick, the Panthers choose Windsor defenseman Cam Fowler.

It's exceptionally easy to lump all of Florida's needs into a simple generalization along the line of "everything". While that may be utterly true - where the club stands pre-draft and the trades that inevitably shadow this franchise at said point - the arrival of GM Dale Tallon thankfully takes the argument further into "building for the next five years" territory rather than the recent "building for the next five months" scheme (implemented for a dizzying array of reasons) we've all grown accustomed to from our friends in Sunrise.

While scoring is/was/will indeed be the number one priority for the Panthers going into the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, landing either of the top two prospects will require a truly Biblical outlay of assets on the part of Tallon's Cats. Of course the possibility exists - however remote - that Florida is so ridiculously head-over-heels for Seguin or Hall that a bountiful deal could be consummated. But don't lose sleep over it; chances are extraordinarily high that a defenseman will be pulling a Panthers sweater over his head at the third slot.

That being the case, and given their need for increased scoring, Windsor's Cam Fowler is the obvious choice when placed against Kingston's Erik Gudbranson . While both will likely develop into well-above-grade defensemen with lengthy careers, Florida's desire for scoring will necessitate Fowler, who tallied 55 points in an equal number of games in his first (and predictably last) season with the Spitfires. Throw in an additional 14 points in 19 playoff games, plus three previous years in the U.S. National Under-18 team and the decision to side with Fowler benefits the Panthers - today and down the road - above anyone not ranked within the top two.

Be sure to head over to SBN's Mock Draft HQ as the picks progress...

Poll

Your choice at third overall (and for purposes of simplicity, No Trades):

Fowler

60 votes

Gudbranson

35 votes

Other- Defenseman

4 votes

Other - Forward

25 votes

124 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 19 comments |

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Comments

Of Fowler’s 55 points, 47 were assists. That will happen when you play on a championship winning team with the best scorer in this year’s draft. As far as a true defenseman goes, Gudbranson is a step above Fowler (from the majority of what I’ve read, obviously never seen them play in person.)

Fowler played on the best team with the better player around him. I’d take Gudbranson on the assumption he’ll be ready quicker and a bigger force in front of the net.

by Karl Selvig on Jun 16, 2010 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

True and true. Gudbranson will no question be a literal “bigger force” in front of the net in years to come, but I’m zeroing in on scoring. Both are said to be spectacular in their own areas (Fowler on the point, Gudbranson at the goal line); based on FLA’s largest deficiency right now (scoring), Fowler fits the bill.

Of course, all of this ultimately depends upon Tallon’s grand plan…

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll point out that if Fowler wasn’t an American that helped upset Canada in the WJCs, say if he was a Canadian with a WJC Gold Medal, the narrative would be a little different. During the WJC someone interviewed Ken Holland and asked what he looks for at the WJC and he said that any player that is an impact player in the WJC is ready to play in the NHL. Well Fowler was the second best US D and he logged a ton of minutes in all situations. He also matched up against Taylor Hall in the games against Canada and kept him very quiet. IIRC Hall was frustrated in both games with the exception of one fluky goal that goes on the US goalie.

I waited all year for this?

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 17, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Brett Connolley would address our utter lack of scoring and is currently ranked at #3?

by HockeyAndLoathing on Jun 16, 2010 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Supposed injury concerns.

by helmut on Jun 16, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Only played a handful of games this past season. Tough call when in a position such as FLA is.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jun 16, 2010 10:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He had a hip injury that limited him to 16 games this season. He’s worth taking a chance on, but maybe not at number 3.

My feeling is that the best move for the Panthers is to try to get another top 6 pick and grab Connolley and either Fowler or Gudbranson.

Florida Panthers: Giving the league a punching bag since 2000.

by Johnny B on Jun 17, 2010 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I like your thinking Johnny B. Connolley is a kid…..he will heal and be a great player…..just not a #3 pick. Maybe 6 or 7….. Remember last season how many BIG forwards "camped out " in front of TVO………….not with Mr. Gudbrannson around. Let’s get some FORWARDS that can put the bisket in the basket and not worry about Fowler doing it.

by LAUSMAN on Jun 17, 2010 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

It’s not that simple as “forwards score, defensemen defend.” If you look at all of the potent offensive teams in the league they get significant contributions from the blueline. In the modern NHL you really need D that can handle the puck and move it up to the forwards before the forwards can do anything with it. Fowler’s assist totals are a testament to his ability to do that.

I waited all year for this?

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 17, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

fowlers assist totals are a testament........

to having World Class forwards on a Championship Team……..ask Mr. # 1 Hall…….Fowler is good….but Goodbrannson will have more of an impact with Florida and I mean IMPACT!

by LAUSMAN on Jun 17, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you’re selling Fowler short on both ends of the ice. Everyone loves a guy that hits but the fact of the matter is those guys are largely a thing of the past. Look at the elite D of today and they aren’t the bone crushers.

And, as everyone knows, Hall is a stud. But how do you discount Fowler’s ability to shut him down in the WJC?

I waited all year for this?

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 17, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree that we are that far away - we should trade down.

We suffered last year because of injuries – Booth and is concussion, Horton’s broken leg. The Booth-Weiss-Horton line is a decent and talented one.

Where we fall down is our No2 center and our lack of scoring on the 2nd line. As we seem to be stuck wih Olesz, I’d get him some help.

With the No3 pick, I would trade down to No15 with the Bruins and get DAVID KREJCI as part of the deal. Olesz has played with him on the Czech team and done well. The Bruins are up against the cap and need to clear some space espeically in the middle if they draft Tyler Seguin.

At No15, I would draft Dylan McIlrath who I think after a season in the AHL will be able to step up and replace McCabe who leaves in free agency.

The problem with this draft is its like 2004, when there were two offensive stars and thats it. There is no consensus that Fowler will be a better pro than Gudbrandsen or Gormley, and they are not so far ahead of Toubort, Pysyk and McIlrath so lets get some immediate scoring help.

In R2 we have 3 picks and we can look at the likes of Petr Staka and Glen McKegg who score for fun,

by MagicDave on Jun 17, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Gudbranson is a younger Bryan Allen. We didn’t have the worst D in the league last year because they weren’t physical enough, we had the worst D because they were completely inept at on or off-the-puck play. If Tallon decides to stick with the pick, drafting Fowler over Gudbranson is seriously a no-brainer.

by pukeoncops on Jun 17, 2010 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

what are you saying....

Bryan Allen ….inept……What……..and by the way he’s being compared to Pronger not Allen…..Gudbrannson over Fowler is a serious no-brainer…….Big Tough NASTY Defensemen I guess are no longer wanted…Quit Pronger Quit…Nobody wants you…..We want 180 lb. Defensemen…….This sounds like Panther Strategy of the past ten years…….Are you trying to keep the team OUT of the Playoffs.

by LAUSMAN on Jun 17, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Allen was also supposed to be the next Pronger, thats why he’s relevant here. Panthers strategy over the last 10 years has been acquiring big talentless defensemen, remember Mezei, Norton, Simpson, Lilja, Ference, Majesky, Trnka, Ulanov, Biron, Boynton, Cairns, Cullimore, Montador, Yushkevich, Allen. Those players got us nowhere. Gudbranson is compared to Pronger because every defensmen in the first round is compared to Pronger. I suspect Gudbranson will turn out like Komisarek, good, but not that good.

by pukeoncops on Jun 18, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Gudbranson

Similar things were said of Pronger when Hartford traded up to grab him at #2 overall in ’93. Only after being traded to STL, to learn side-by-side with Al MacInnis, under a hard-liner in Mike Keenan, was he able to find his path.

Not implying Gudbranson will become a mirror-image of Pronger, only that many similarities exist. The Whale was not far removed from where the Panthers happen to be: spinning wheels with little direction, relying on too much sub-par talent to go anywhere. And (a much younger) Bryan Burke was the GM.

No question Tallon is at a far superior spot in comparison, and he may yet decide Gudbranson is The Man. But I’m guessing not.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jun 17, 2010 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

The problem with drafting one of the Top 3 defensemen

… is that the next group of guys may be just as good in not better, in the pro-leagues.

We don’t have an immediate need for a offensive defensemen having drafted Colby Robak in 2008 and Dmitri Kulikov in 2009.

We need someone who takes care of business at his own end, first and foremost.

by MagicDave on Jun 18, 2010 3:55 AM EDT reply actions

A worthy point, MD. And I understand the Kuli-Gudbranson vs. Kuli-Fowler comparisons, but are those perhaps getting a little ahead of the situation? I mean, we’re talking 19 and 20 year-olds. Defensemen no less, which inevitably take longer to – for lack of a better word – mature.

This is going to be one of those discussions that’ll be bandied about for a decade, unless of course Dale spikes everyone and takes Connolly or trades up. But then we’ll just have something new to talk about.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jun 18, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

That's a picture of THE BEAVER !

by LAUSMAN on Jun 18, 2010 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

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